Ore washer and concentrator.



PATENTED SEPT. 26, 1905.

N. B. WINTER. ORE WASHER AND CONCENTRATOR.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 17, 1904.

No. 800,528. PATENTED SEPT. 26, 1905. N. B. WINTER.

ORE WASHER AND GONGBNTRATOR.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.17, 1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2' ame/Mon 6w 7 nezwnanawzer NELSON B. l/VINTER, OFCINCINNATI, OHIO.

ORE WASHER AND CONCENTRATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 26, 1905.

Application filed November 17, 1904. Serial No. 233,167-

lb all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NELSON B. WINTER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ore WVashers andConcentrators, of which the following is a specification.

The intent of this invention is to devise a novel mechanism for theseparation and concentration of ore by the combined action ofcentrifugal and gravitative forces, assisted by mechanical agitation andthe disintegrating and differentiating action of water upon the slimesor mass.

In its organization the separator embodies a circularconcentrating-table of dished form having a central cone-shapeddistributer and graded annular inclines or planes which progressivelyincrease in inclination from the center outward to neutralize wholly orin part the effect of centrifugal force and the currents of water on thematerial, with the result that the latter is more evenly distributedover the surface of the dished concentratingtable and the heavierparticles retained, whereas the lighter particles are driven 01f.

For a full description of the inventionand the merits thereof and alsoto acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means foreffecting the result reference is to be had to the following descriptionand accompanying drawings.

While the invention may be adapted to different forms and conditions bychanges in the structure and minor details without departing from thespirit or essential features thereof, still the preferred embodimentthereof is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is avertical central section of an ore-concentrator embodying the invention.Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of thedished concentrating-table, parts of the annular ribs being broken away.Fig. 4: is an end view of an agitatorbar, showing the manner ofattaching a vertical amalgamated plate thereto. Fig. 5 is across-section of an agitator-bar, showing a blade in elevation and themeans for attaching the latter to said bar.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the followingdescription and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the samereference characters.

The concentrating-table upon which the separation of the ore is effectedis indicated at 1 and is of circular and dished form and comprises acentral portion 2 of conical form and a series of graded inclines orplanes 3, 4, and 5 of annular form. The concentrating-table ispreferably constructed of plate metal, and the conical part 2 isstrengthened by braces 6, which incline in an opposite direction. Asleeve is provided at the center of the table and is connected near itsends to the upper portion of the cone 2 and to the lower ends of thebraces 6. The sleeve 7 receives the vertical shaft 5 and is held theretoby means of a set-screw 8. Rotary motion is applied to thevertical shaft5 from any source of power in any determinate way. Thecentrally-disposed cone 2 acts as a distributor or a deflector to impartinitial outward movement to the material as it is received upon theconcentrating-table. A spout9 is arranged to deliver the ore, slimes, orconglomerate mass upon the center portion of the table. Hence theadvantage of the cone 2 for effecting outward movement of the mass inthe operation of the separator. The annular inclines or planes 3, 4, and5 are upwardly flared and are graded, the inclination of each being morepronounced from the center outward to offset the action of the currentsand the centrifugal force attenda nt upon the operation of theseparator, so as t9 retain the native ores and metals and permit thelighter articles-such as'gravel, sand, and mud-to pass over the outeredge of the table.

A series of ribs 10 of annular formation have a concentric arrangementupon the concentratingtable and extend from the upper side thereof at aninward inclination, so as to form an acute angle with said table. Theribs 10 gradually increase in height from the center outward, and theirupper edges are inwardly deflected, as shown at 11, to form retaininglips or flanges for holding the material upon the table until properseparation thereof has been effected. It is well known that the portionsof arotating part travel proportionately faster according to theirrelative distance from the center or axis of rotation. Hence thecentrifugal action and currents are proportionately greater toward theouter edge of the table, and in order to prevent a too rapid dischargeof the material the table is composed of flaring graded inclines orplanes, and the ribs 10 are progressively increased in height from thecenter upward. Annular grooves or channels 12 are formed at the base ITOof the respective ribs 10 and constitute plates to-theagitator-bars, andin the simplest troughs or pockets in which the concentrates lodge andare out of the path of the material required to be separatedandconcentrated.

These annular pockets or troughs 12 may be formed in any manner byhaving them arranged at the lower edges of the ribs 10 and at the angleformed between said ribs and the table. The concentrates are positivelydirect ed therein and prevented from displacement either by centrifugalaction, the currents of water, or the moving of the mass over'the table.

A distributer or-fender l3 is'arranged atthe outer edge oftheconeentratingmable and consists of an annular declining plane which 1serves to evenly and quickly distribute the material when thrown fromthe table'andat' the same time prevents'its being drawn under the tabletoward the center bythundercur rent produced by the revolutions thereof.This distributer or fender may be 'an integral part of theconcentrating-table or may be attached thereto, as found mostadvantageous. A series of agitator-bars 14 are arranged above the dishedconcentrating-table and con form approximately thereto, as indicatedmost clearly in Fig. 1. These bars 14 havea radial arrangement and inthe"preferableconstruction are fixed with reference to the concen"tratmg-table and are supported fromany suit-' able framework (notshown)by means-of hangers 15. Each of the agitator-bars is'provided in itslength with agitators 16, which consist of blades or paddles havingrounded shanks fitted into openings of theagitator so as to effectlateral movement of the ma terial upon the concentratingvtable in theTheagitators are provided in sufli'cient number'and are disoperation ofthe separator.

posed at such relative inclination-as to overlap, thereby insuringtheiracting upon every portion of the material upon the'concentrating-table. For catching float-goldamalga mated plates 18 arearranged above the con-'- centrating-table and are preferably attachedto the agitator-bars 14. The plates 18 have a vertical and a radialdisposition andmay be of copper or other metal commonly used inore-concentrators for receiving amalgam, by

means of which particles of the precious metals floating in the waterare collected." The amalgamated plates are of tapered form to admit oftheir upper edges beingapproximately parallel with the-levelof thewaterand their lower edges conforming to the'outline of theagitator-bars, so as to fit close thereto.

Any means maybe employed for securing the constructi'onthe lower edgesof the plates are bent laterally and apertured to receive bolts or likefastenings which are let into the agitator-bars.

A collector 19 of annular form encirclesthe concentrating-tables and isupwardly flared and overlaps the distributer and fender 13and isamalgamated, so as to catch any float-gold that may escape theamalgamated plates'18." The upper edge 'portion'of the collector 19extendsabove the surface of the water in which the-concentrator isimmersed and "operates so as to intercept and gather float-goldwhi'chmight otherwise'be lost; The collector '19 is'prefei'ably stationary andis attached to the framework (not shown) by means of arms 20.

' In the practical and successful operation of the concentrator thelatter is submerged in Water containedin a tank or reservoir, and 7rotary-motion is impartedto the shaft 5 from any'suitable source ofpower, the speed being regulated to insure distribution of the slimes,

conglomerate-mass,"or'materialto be separated, dueallowance being madefor centrifugal force 'andthe action of the currents ofwater'on'the'material." The ore is fed to the stirred bymeans'of theblades or paddles 16 and is disintegrated by the action of the water,

the latter also assisting in separating the mass accordingto the'diiference in the specific gravity of its constituent element. Theflaring graded inclines or planes of the concen* trating-table retardthe outward movement of the mass proportionate to its'distance from theaxial line of rotation, the retarding being further effectedby theaction'of the graded ribs 10; The concentrates accumulate near thesurfaceofthe table, whereas the lighter particles are carriedoutward bycentrifugalaction and finally are thrown from the table, the distributer13assisting their discharge and preventing them from being drawn un derthe tableby-undercurrents due to rotation thereof. The-metal and heavyore gravitate toward the center of the table, as Well as accumulate inthe 'angle troughs' or pockets 12, from which theyare removed atintervals in theaccustomed manner. that may be separated iscollected bycoming in contactwith the amalgamated plates 18 or by the-'collector19,as will be readily comprehended.

Having thus describedthe invention, whati' is claimed 'as'new is 1. Inanore-coneentrator, a circular concentrating-tableof dished form-adaptedto have rotary movement imparted thereto and comprising a concentricseries of annular planes each inclined outward and upward from thepreceding at a greater pitch in progressive order from the centeroutward, and annular ribs projected upward from said table at thejuncture of the respective annular planes and gradually increasing inheight from the center outward, and having inner flanges at their upperedges overhanging the outer edges of the adjacent inner planes to formdeflecting-lips.

2. In an ore-concentrator, a circular concentrating-table of dished formadapted to have rotary movement imparted thereto and comprising aconcentric series of annular planes each inclined outward and upwardfrom the preceding at a greater pitch in progressive order from thecenter outward, annular grooves in the table at the juncture of therespective annular planes, and ribs extended upward from the inner edgesof the respective annular planes about in line with the outer edges ofsaid grooves.

3. In an ore-concentrator, a circular concentrating-table of dished formadapted to have rotary movement imparted thereto and comprising aconcentric series of annular planes each inclined outward and upwardfrom' the preceding at a greater pitch in progressive order from thecenter outward, annular grooves in the table at the juncture of therespective annular planes, ribs extended upward from the inner edges ofthe respective annular planes about in line with the outer edges of saidgrooves, and having inner flanges at their upper edges to overhang thesaid grooves.

4. In an ore-concentrator, a circular concentrating-table ot' dishedform adapted to have rotary movement imparted thereto and comprising aconcentric series of annular planes each inclined outward and upwardfrom the preceding at a greater pitch in progressive order from thecenter outward, annular grooves in the table at the juncture of therespective annular planes, ribs extended upward from the inner edges ofthe respective annular planes about in line with the outer edges of saidgrooves and inclined inward to overhang said grooves provided at theirupper edges with inner flanges.

5. In an ore-concentrator, the combination of a rotaryconcentrating-table provided at its outer edge with a decliningdistributer, and an oppositely-inclined annular collector located whollyabove and overlapping the said distributer.

6. In combination, a rotary concentratingtable provided at its outeredge with an inner deflecting-flange and an outer declining distributer,and an oppositely-inclined annular collector arranged above andoverlapping said distributer and encircling the concentratingtable. 1

7. In combination, a rotary concentratingtable of dished form comprisinga centrally-disposed cone-shaped distributor and a series of flaringgraded inclines, radially-disposed agitator-bars located above the tableand conforming thereto, and amalgamated plates of tapered form attachedto the agitator-bars, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

NELSON B. WINTER. [L. s.]

